ALEX McLeish has called on Blues to return to the high standards they set in reaching the top of the Championship.

Crystal Palace provide the opposition at St Andrew’s tonight (7.45pm) and the manager said he was looking for Blues to play as they had been doing prior to the draw at Burnley.

Blues took their foot off the gas a little at Turf Moor and although a much-improved second-half display earned them a point, Wolves were able to reclaim leadership of the division.

“We are at home and I am expecting a much better performance, certainly of the type against QPR,” said McLeish.

“We have to pass it like we did then and try to control the game like we did then.

“We got a decent result in the end at Burnley but the expectations at this club are such that (beforehand) we hoped to have come away with a victory.

“That’s what I keep telling them all the time, that they have to be fully aware of what it means playing for Birmingham. They may think I sound like a broken record because I go on about it, but that’s the way it is.

“It’s a case of playing to high standards and whether they are tough enough to handle it, all the demands on us and of this division.”

Palace have picked up of late and McLeish said a tricky tussle was certain.

“Neil Warnock is a wily customer, he’s been around the block a bit, and his team will have a spring in their step,” he said.

“They’re feeling confident but it’s up to us to cope with their dangermen and for ours to come into their own.”

Out of contract in the summer, he is sure to exit Selhurst Park then or during the January transfer window, should Palace receive a satisfactory bid.

Since returning to the team – he was left out after rejecting a new contract – Palace have improved and he scored twice in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Barnsley.

McLeish said: “We know we’ve got to try to stop him playing because he has an influence on their team.

“It’s a good test for our midfielders, to show that they can do that and bring their own qualities too.”

As far as McLeish’s selection goes, David Murphy (knee) is a doubt.

He has some swelling in his joint but has not suffered any serious ligament damage.

James McFadden is sure to be pushing for a start after coming off the substitutes’ bench in Blues’ last two matches.

Franck Queudrue is primed to replace Murphy and McLeish said: “He’s an experienced professional and knows what’s required.

“Palace have got a couple of quick wingers and tactically we need to be ready for that.”

Gary McSheffrey has suffered a knee injury and is not available, although he has failed to make the 16 in the last four matches.

“When he gets fit, it’s up to him to start again, as it were,” said McLeish. “He’s got to try to force his way back into the reckoning, we want to see the wee Sheff who was scoring goals galore and proving to be a major threat.”